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Sailing in Scotland

Scotland is overflowing with wild, watery expanses. If you have always dreamed of navigating your way around distant isles and canals, being a sea captain or gliding gracefully across a misty loch, a sailing holiday in Scotland is for you. Scotland has a boating holiday for everyone, from novice sailors to experienced skippers.

Boat hire in Scotland couldn't be easier; and with spacious harbours and anchorages set against dramatic coastlines, Scotland is an unbeatable place to charter your boat or learn to sail.

Keep up to date with the latest news and trip ideas from SailScotland and join the conversation at #LegendarySailing 

Places to drop anchor

The number and quality of marinas and pontoon facilities up and down the country has kept pace with Scotland’s growing popularity as a cruising destination.

These docking points cater for all classes of boat and many are superbly equipped. They are ideal for refuelling, stocking up on provisions for the rest of your trip or simply enjoying some time on dry land. Here are a few places you can moor:

Yacht charters

Scotland's many yacht charter companies offer visiting sailors a wide selection of craft and cruise locations to choose from. Whether your preference is for power or sail, self-sail or skippered, classic or modern, there's a charter for you. You can choose between:

Bareboat charters

Most - but not all - charter companies are based on the west coast and offer a wide variety of boats. Bareboat charters do not provide a crew or a skipper, so you can sail away on your own terms and follow your own itinerary.

Skippered charters

If you're new to sailing or even if you're an experienced sailor but new to Scottish waters, why not charter a skippered vessel and let an experienced hand take over and do the organising, navigating and sailing?

Browse the SailScotland yacht charter listings for more information or visit Welcome Anchorages, for a comprehensive guide to shore facilities around Scotland and the north Irish coast.

Be safe on the water

Read tips from the RNLI and make sure you practice sailing safely and take a look at SailScotland's Plan Your Passage section for valuable information and some great itinerary suggestions.

RYA Scotland Opens a new window

Find out more about sailing in Scotland from the Royal Yachting Association Scotland.

Sailing weather and tides Opens a new window

Find the most up-to-date information about conditions at sea, inshore and in general, as well as information related to tide times.

SailScotland  Opens a new window

Visit the SailScotland website for more information on sailing.

Sailing Holidays Opens a new window

Browse the SailScotland sailing holidays listings and plan your next sailing break.

Sailing Scotland.org app Opens a new window

An app which gives you acess to over 1,700 marine-related businesses in Scotland.

Malin Waters Opens a new window

Read more about this new initiative to promote the sea between Scotland and Ireland as one of Europe's premier sailing and coastal destinations.

Whisky and the west coast: a 7 day sailing itinerary 

Spend a week sailing along the west coast and discover some of the finest single malts from distilleries on the islands of Islay, Jura and Arran and Campbeltown in Kintyre. 

Sailability Scotland Opens a new window

Learn more about this RYA programme to make sailing accessible for all abilities.  

Lochs, Rivers and Canals

Learn more about lochs, rivers and canals in Scotland

Sailing holidays in Scotland

Some of the finest sailing waters in Europe can be found here in Scotland, but spending a day or two exploring our captivating coast, secluded coves and broad bays isn't really enough time to do these amazing places justice. What you need is a longer boating holiday, where you can discover more of our coastline and islands, relax ashore in restaurants and pubs and go at your own pace. Plot a course for SailScotland's sailing holidays page or browse the listings below and start planning now.

Learn to sail

Don't know your port from your starboard? Scotland has many Royal Yachting Association (RYA) approved sailing schools, located on coasts, inland lochs and islands around the country. They offer tuition in all types of vessels and use a variety of tuition styles. All levels of RYA qualifications are available for those interested in dinghy sailing, cruiser racing, cruising and power boating.
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Tighnabruaich Sailing School

Galloway Activity Centre

Loch Morlich Watersports

Strathclyde Country Park

Elie Watersports  Opens a new window

Port Edgar Watersports Opens a new window

Other things you might like

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Sailing in Argyll & the Isles 

Whisky and the West Coast : 7 Day Sailing Itinerary  

Scottish Islands & Island Hopping 

Short coastal breaks and escapes by the water 

Watersports in Scotland 

Beaches